Book Review by Aarene Storms: The Aviary

The Aviary by Kathleen O'Dell

11-year-old Clara leads a sheltered life in the crumbling Glendoveer mansion, where she lives with her mother, the cook, elderly Mrs Glendoveer, and a cage full of exotic birds. Nothing exciting has ever happened to Clara. In fact, nothing interesting has ever happened to her until a new girl moves to the neighborhood, Clara begins to question her mother about their lives before coming to the mansion, and the birds begin to speak.

An old family mystery, a mesmerist with kind words and bad intentions, and a bit of magic--stage magic and the real kind--keep the pages turning on this sweet, shivery story. No cussing or kissing; some tame off-stage violence.

Rating:
Recommended for readers who enjoy books like Inkheart, The Penderwicks, and other tales of girls and mysteries and magic, ages 8 to adult.


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true. --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS